Meet the nominees for Daily News high school football Player of the Year for 2011

Camilo, Cornelius, Folkes, Greenwood and Taps make for difficult decision

Monday, January 16 2012, 12:00 PM

Siegel.Jefferson

Brandon Reddish of Fort Hamilton H.S., winner of the Daily News 2010 High School Football Player of the Year award. Who will be next? Watch Tuesday’s Daily News Live, on SNY at 5 p.m., to find out.

QB Ryan Camilo

CLINTON

After transferring from Cardinal Hayes, the senior made a huge difference behind center for the Governors. He tossed three touchdown passes but made his greatest impact with his legs, rushing for nine TDs and gaining 792 yards on the ground. The payoff? Led by Camilo, Clinton advanced all the way to the PSAL semifinals, losing to eventualy champion Lincoln.

Cornelius is likely to focus on one position once he gets to Syracuse, but he did a little bit of everything for the Pirates. He caught 24 passes and took direct snaps out of the “Wildcat” set, using his elusiveness to slip through opposing defenses and helping the Pirates survive the loss of their quarterback. Cornelius also made five interceptions, taking one in for a score.

He was a steady force for a team that went undefeated to win the PSAL city title, but Folkes’ greatest contributions came when the games mattered most. As if rushing for 22 touchdowns and 1,225 yards wasn’t enough, Folkes had a hand in — literally — two of the biggest plays of the season, knocking away two Erasmus passes on the final drive of the season at Yankee Stadium.

QB Kahlik Greenwood

CAMPUS MAGNET

Probably the most accurate passer in the PSAL, Greenwood gave the Bull-Dogs something few public school teams are able to boast: an air attack. The junior passed for 1,081 yards and 13 touchdowns. Given that he was starting for the first time this season, the experience he gained ought to help Campus Magnet to improve upon the 7-4 campaign it managed this fall.

According to Crusaders coach Mike O’Donnell, Taps figured out a way to leave his impression on every game he played. If he wasn’t breaking free for a big gain or helping his offensive line create a wide hole, Taps was making life miserable for opposing ball-carriers. He chose William & Mary over a host of suitors, and was named the CHSFL defensive player of the year.